Nightmare Disorder
Nightmare disorder, also known as dream anxiety disorder, is a sleep disorder characterized by frequent nightmares. The nightmares, which often portray the individual in a situation that jeopardizes their life or personal safety, usually occur during the REM stages of sleep.
Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW136
Diagnosis: Nightmare Disorder
US Patients: 4% of adults; 1% of children
World Patients:
Sex Ratio: M;W2
Age Onset:
Brain Area:
Symptoms: frequent nightmares involving personal safety, usually occurring during REM stages of sleep; remembers every detail of the dream
Progression: does not wake up screaming, but reduce daytime efficiencies from being “tired”; fear and physical aggression are the most common
Causes: PTSD, extreme stress, death of a loved one; 30% have other psychiatric illnesses
Medications: several antipsychotic medicines have reduced nightmares; hypnosis and relaxation may also help
Therapies: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) have helped portions of those with PTSD or other threatening experiences.
Youtube Video: Nightmares and Treatment
Amazon or Library Book: Nightmareland
Click the book to link or buy from Amazon.
Support Group: sleepeducation.org; 630-737-9700
(American Academy of Sleep Medicine)
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis
Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- Which PTSD clusters and symptoms are central to reducing suicidal ideation? A network and cross-lagged analysis among individuals receiving cognitive processing therapyby Richard J Zeifman on December 19, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that reductions in SI within treatment may be due to direct targeting of avoidance, affect, and future-related cognitions. Further research remains necessary to determine whether the present findings extend to DSM-5 PTSD clusters and symptoms.
- DSM-5 acute stress disorder in hospitalized burn patients: The impact and interplay of pre- and peri-trauma psychological risk factorsby Yi-Jen Su on December 14, 2024
CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the interplay of pre- and peri-trauma psychological processes in susceptibility to ASD symptomatology post-burn.
- Trauma-related nightmares among U.S. veterans: Findings from a nationally representative studyby Courtney B Worley on December 13, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 1-in-6 veterans experience trauma-related nightmares in their lifetime, which is associated with adverse mental health, functional difficulties, and increased suicide risk. Results underscore the importance of transdiagnostic assessment, monitoring, and treatment of trauma-related nightmares in this population.
- Examining the role of post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and opioid use in burn patients: A multi-cohort analysisby Joshua Lewis on December 12, 2024
CONCLUSION: PTSD is associated with a significant increased likelihood of adverse outcomes following severe burns, particularly opioid use, chronic pain, psychological disorders, and higher healthcare utilization. These findings underscore the importance of identifying PTSD in burn patient management and highlight the need for further research into postoperative pain management strategies for this vulnerable population. Psychological assessments and cognitive behavioral therapy may be...